On a bitterly cold winters night in Frankston there was a sense of unity in the air as I made my way to Pier Live. Already by the time I arrived there was a line of punters stretched around the corner excited for this, the first show of what is Karnivool's only Australian tour for 2011. And with the promise of a few new songs in the set many were eager to see where they could possibly go from their latest offering Sound Awake. With Shockone and Over-Reactor opening up proceedings it was sure to be a fantastic evening of music.

No stranger to the live scene, Ezekiel Ox vocalist of Over-Reactor (pictured below) has been in more bands than I can count with the fingers of one hand. This however, is one of the more interesting ones. Playing live with just himself and drummer Cory Blight (who plays and records all instruments on record) to a pre-recorded backing track one would think that each show would be strikingly similar to the last. They would be wrong.

Zeke is no ordinary front man. He demands attention and participation from the crowd. If he doesn't get it, he makes his way into the crowd to find it. Tonight was one of these occasions. Sauntering into the middle of the dance floor he demanded that someone give him a stool that he could perform on. When no stool came forth, he instead demanded the use of someone’s shoulders. This second request was obliged and for the length of their track Point To Push he performed while the man under him walked him around the venue.

Finishing their set with the track Something More Over-Reactor had certainly won over a fair portion of the crowd just by their performance alone, and with the promise that their debut album Lose Your Delusion was downloadable for free from their website, I’m sure they won some more.

As soon as Over-Reactor finished Shockone (a.k.a. Karl Thomas) started his set. Unfortunately, it took a good 15-20 minutes for most of those in attendance to even realise he was playing; with everyone assuming that it was just the in-between set music.

He played a set that pretty much consisted of a constant beat, and occasional shifting vocals: a sort of industrial drum and bass landscape really. For those who were paying attention to his set it was very enjoyable but for the majority they just used it as a chance to grab a few drinks and secure a position for Karnivool.

What can I say about Karnivool (pictured at top) that countless others haven’t already said? They are one of this nations finest bands, not only on record but in their live show too. They are indeed a force to be reckoned with and their wall of sound just attacks your every sense while you watch them.

Starting off the show with Goliath the over excited Frankston crowd erupted; and, after only a few minutes I found myself moving away from the dance floor to safer ground. Clearly everyone was making the most of this; the only time they can see the boys perform this year.

In the course of the show Karnivool played two new tracks, The Refusal, and Sky Machine. If I were to compare them to tracks from Sound Awake The Refusal would be the Set Fire To The Hive while Sky Machine is more New Day. Not to say that’s how they sound, but that is the impression I got from them. Musically, the songs are more like the Sound Awake material to that of Themata. The Refusal also marks bass player Jon Stockman’s vocal debut singing backing vocals to Ian Kenny.

Rounding off the set with a few crowd favourites in Set Fire To The Hive, Roquefort and New Day Karnivool ended the main set on high note. Coming back onstage for the inevitable encore however brought with it one of the biggest surprises of the night in a track called Synops, from their debut LP. Having been only played a few times in almost four years it was a fantastic way for the band to say thanks to those who have been around since the Themata days. Capping off the evening with Change (Parts 1 and 2) left the hungry crowd wanting more. With cheers for a second encore continuing long after the band had left the stage.